In four games since he underwent unplanned dental treatment Oct. 21 in Toronto, Getzlaf has put up 10 points, including three goals. In six games before having a virus removed from his gum and missing a 3-2, shootout triumph over the Maple Leafs later that night,

Neither Coach Randy Carlyle nor Bret Hedican has unrealistic expectations for Monday night, when the newly obtained veteran defenseman is set to make his Ducks debut against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.

Hedican, 38, signed a free-agent contract with the Ducks on Thursday, but has not been in an NHL game since he completed last season with the Carolina Hurricanes. He hasn’t even had the benefit of a full practice session, taking part only in morning skates and pre-game warm-ups Friday and Saturday before games against the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens.

Q: We’re one month into the season and you’ve already reached your career high in goals. Did you find your scoring touch in the offseason?

Parros: I don’t know. I’ve been able to get some good shots on net. Some years they go in for you, some years they don’t. I usually don’t get too many shots, but I’ve gotten myself into some good position. I don’t think there’s any way to explain it. They’ve just gone in. Thank God for that and I hope they keep coming.

Sportsnet has learned Bret Hedican has signed a one-year, $870,000 deal with the Anaheim Ducks.

The veteran defenceman spent the last six seasons in Carolina and has also spent time in Vancouver, Florida and St. Louis during his 16-year career. Hedican has appeared in 988 career games recording 288 points.

The Ducks wouldn’t release him as he asked last spring, or at least give him permission to talk to other clubs. But soon that won’t be their call any longer.

That, of course, will put the Ducks and team president Michael Schulman in a dicey predicament. When Burke tells them during the holiday season that he won’t be agreeing to a new contract – only a major change of circumstances would change that now – Schulman will be left with the problem of having a lame duck GM heading towards the trade deadline and, after that, the draft and free agency.

The upcoming road swing, which also includes stops in Ottawa, Montreal and Columbus, could not only play a huge role in determining the course of this season but also future campaigns.

“I think the players need to worry about playing the game and not worry about the other (stuff) that can go on outside the game of hockey,” Pronger said. “We have to get into the dirty areas. We think we have, and we haven’t. We have no traffic in front of the net. We’re off to the sides. We’re not gritty. Until we realize that we have to be a dirty team, this (losing) is going to be a regular occurrence – and it’s getting old.”

more on the Ducks plus Burke says he will have made a decision on his contract with the Ducks by Christmas…

Up first is a home game tomorrow night against Anaheim, and much of the talk will be about Ducks GM Brian Burke and his signing with Toronto when his contract expires in July.

“It will be an opportunity for you guys (the media) to get things going,” Fletcher said. “We have to focus on what we have to do – try to beat Anaheim in a hockey game.”

While the Leafs work on their hockey skills, Fletcher will be putting his managing skills to the test. The league’s GMs meet at the end of the week in Chicago, and Trader Cliff anticipates the seeds of future deals will be planted.